2008 Art Theme

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karr
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2008 Art Theme

Post by karr » Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:55 pm

I'm still digesting, and unsure of what to make of the theme for 2008.

Burning Man 08 Art Theme

2008 Art Theme: "American Dream"
This year's art theme is about patriotism -- not that kind which freights the nation state with the collective weight of ego, but a patriotism based upon a love of country and culture. Leave ideology at home; forget the blue states and the red; let parties, factions and the issues that divide us fall away. Ask yourself, instead, what can postmodern America yet give to the world?

http://burningman.com/art_of_burningman/bm08_theme.html
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BAS
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Post by BAS » Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:36 pm

Darn! I was hoping it would be "Give 'em Enough Rope...!" Oh well...

Once, for a role playing game, I came up with a customized car called "The American Dream." It was supposedly a 1963 Diesel Mercedes (so it would be and expensive import with tailfins) with, amongst other things, the front grill etched to look like a tombstone, with the phrase "The American Dream" followed by July 4, 1776 and the date of Bobby Kennedy's assassination. It had Hunter S. Thompson's Gonzo Journalism logo on the front door, the Dead Kennedy's logo on the back doors, and the Yellow Sign on the trunk and top.

The Hunter S. logo was a reference to "Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas" which had, in part, a search for the American Dream. In one part of the book, a part at least supposedly transcribed directly from a tape recording, he and Dr. Gonzo get directions to a place which was, at one time, called The American Dream, and find that it burned down a few years earlier. It is possible that the date of the fire coincided with the death of Bobby Kennedy. (And I still haven't forgiven the Doctor for committing suicide before I figured this out: I would really like to ask him if it were intentional!)

The Dead Kennedys logo was a reference to the origin of the band's name-- that the death of the Kennedy brothers had signified the death of the American Dream. I suspect that this is why their rendition of Viva Las Vegas was used on the soundtrack to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

The Yellow Sign is the most esoteric of the lot. It is from the King In Yellow cycle of horror stories and games. My favorite interpretation of the King In Yellow mythos is one which appears in Pagan Publishings role playing game sourcebook Delta Green: Countdown. In that book, the interpretation is that that Yellow Sign is a symbol of the god Hastur, who is the personification of entropy. In general, the Yellow Sign is supposed to be the symbol of entropy, decay, and madness. Anyway, as entropy, it was on the back of the car as a symbol of what came after the Dream died.

Oh, and on the hubcaps of the car was the Man. In the game the reason was that my character had put it there just because he thought the idea of the Man doing cartwheels was amusing. *I* had the character put him there because one interpretation of Burning Man is that it is a celebration of the spirit of rebellion and expressing oneself-- which are, in my opinion, essential components of the American Dream.

Oh, and the fact that the car was diesel didn't really mean anything beyond that my character didn't like the idea of sending his money overseas and had decided to make his own biodiesel. :wink:

The game ended before anyone got around to actually asking my character to explain why the heck his car was painted up that way.

Unfortunately, I can't afford to create the car in real life. (For starters-- can you guess how expensive a working 1963 Mercedes is?!! :shock: ) I think it would be a kind of neat art project.


B.
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burningcobra
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Post by burningcobra » Mon Sep 03, 2007 7:36 pm

I think the themes are getting too loaded... I liked the vague ones better. I'm still gonna go though..

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Post by fancy1 » Mon Sep 03, 2007 8:02 pm

and wasn't there a tv show named the same? What about those internation burners?
Feels a little exclusive to me....
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Post by waywardvirtuoso » Mon Sep 03, 2007 8:12 pm

lame lame lame. the theme, that is. i had to miss out this year so i really dont want to miss out on next year, but a boycott is different than missing out.... i'm debating.

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Post by SilkenTofu » Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:45 am

That was fast. I am suprised that the Art Theme was announced so early, it used to be a few months after the event when the theme was announced.

Not sure if I am excited or annoyed. Still.....the more I think about it, the more potential it has. Screw it, I am still going.
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Teo del Fuego
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Post by Teo del Fuego » Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:47 am

the theme is wrong for so many reasons...politicized and exclusionary to international burners. Psyce abnd Hope and Fear were excellent tabula rasa themes.

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Post by shitweasel » Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:57 am

Teo, I agree. I've been a fan of the vague theme too...but then, I thought The Floating World was really wonderful.
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Post by SilkenTofu » Tue Sep 04, 2007 11:51 am

fancy1 wrote:What about those internation burners?
Feels a little exclusive to me....
Fancy and Teo. I feel you are right in thinking the theme might be off-putting to the people who come from outside the US to attend, but think of what they might bring to the table too? What do the burners from England, Australia and so many other counties think about the American Dream?
I am a bit tied up at the moment...but if you leave your name and number.....

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Post by Nickel » Tue Sep 04, 2007 12:13 pm

Why can't it be something more earth friendly, like say "The Global Dream." The original ideals of "The American Dream" are great, but that concept is so far corrupted that it feels to me like a trendy and politically driven theme. The creativity of theme based concepts for 2008 is instantly bottlenecked by American Culture and dreams and without reason. Conceptually this theme could be amazing, but centering it around America makes it sad and not well thought out.

The Green man was NOT a green event (see Crude Awakening, the Man, etc) and BRC is not the American Dream (although America, and the world could learn a lot from the wonderful city).

This theme is not enough, it's not expansive enough, it's not creative enough, it's lazy.

The first thing I thought of when I read that title, was Suburban Home by the Descendants:
I want to be stereotyped, I want to be classified
I want to be a clone, I want a suburban home
Suburban home, Suburban home, Suburban home
I want to be masochistic, I want to be a statistic
I want to be a clone, I want a suburban home
Suburban home, Suburban home, Suburban home
I don't want no hippie pad, I want a house just
Like mom and dad, I want to be stereotyped
I want to be classified, I want to be masochistic
I want to be a statistic, I want to be a clone
I want a suburban home
Suburban home, Suburban home, Suburban home
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waywardvirtuoso
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Post by waywardvirtuoso » Tue Sep 04, 2007 12:16 pm

YES! It's lazy and its a copout and it sucks. boo!

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BAS
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Post by BAS » Tue Sep 04, 2007 6:23 pm

Didn't the American Dream used to be a spouse, a house (preferably in the suburbs), a pair of kids, and a big car? Would it now be a significant other, a condominium, and a mini-van or SUV? Maybe it is just to get rich? Is there an American Dream? Maybe just an empty playa would be the best display? :?



B.
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BoxaRox
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Post by BoxaRox » Tue Sep 04, 2007 6:28 pm

The American Garage Sale!!

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Post by unjonharley » Tue Sep 04, 2007 6:32 pm

BoxaRox wrote:The American Garage Sale!!
love that, is it going to be your theme camp name??

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BAS
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Post by BAS » Tue Sep 04, 2007 6:41 pm

BoxaRox wrote:The American Garage Sale!!
I have to agree with unjon-- that sounds like a really cool camp idea! 8)


B.
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Do things that have never been done."
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Post by Lukky » Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:29 pm

The American Dream?

Jesus fuck, what happend to all the cool ones? Surely they haven't all been exhausted.


The American Dream is :
James Truslow Adams wrote:"that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. .... but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."
Doesn't sound all that american anymore.

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This theme is why I won't go next year

Post by brasa » Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:02 pm

This has to be the lamest, least burner-esque theme- for a week we get to pretend we're lost boys or on another planet, living as if in the post apocalypse, or an parallel universe, and they ask us to reflect on our patriotism? How banal- but I'm sure the eagle wearing, flag waving RVs will come in droves. Who came up with this shit, Alberto Gonzalez? Come on, burners, speak up! Or we need to come up with an alternative to this event- too many spectators and not enough art.
time for a change.

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Post by Desert Duck » Wed Sep 05, 2007 1:27 am

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

I'll take that nice big ArrrrVeeee!!! Let's Drape a FLAG over it!! BRILLIANT!!!!!
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Post by allchange » Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:54 am

Speaking as a burner from overseas I have to say that on face value I can agree in saying that the title feels exclusionary to those outside of America.

The reason being that in my experience the American Dream comes with a heavily laden stigma of hypocrisy and I'm concerned that rather than focus on the positive ideals, it's easier to lean towards the negative unless you're trying to promote this which I suppose is a part of Burning Man's diversity.

The idea of the Global Dream or something similar sounds much more appealing although I'm not an American and at the end of the day it's your festival.
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Post by Nickel » Wed Sep 05, 2007 12:01 pm

allchange wrote: The idea of the Global Dream or something similar sounds much more appealing although I'm not an American and at the end of the day it's your festival.
It might be in my country, but it's just as much your festival, no matter what the theme says. Always remember that. Black Rock City belongs to no one, and everyone. It's ours.
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Post by BAS » Wed Sep 05, 2007 4:35 pm

After some thought, it does occur to me that the most American thing to do at Burning Man would be to drape T\he Man in an American flag, then set the Man on fire. After all, what is more true to the American Dream than the freedom to destroy the very symbol of that freedom? And destroy it in such a public way? That would be an incredibly bold statement on the part of the organizers!

The only problem which I can see is that they would never dare do it. The controversy over such an act could shut down the festival.

Which is a shame, since burning the flag on the Man would be such a bold, thought provoking statement.


B.
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Do things that have never been done."
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Post by trilobyte » Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:04 pm

It doesn't strike me as being much of an art theme at all. As if there was any question as to whether the 2007 art theme was an attempt at politicizing the event, the 2008 theme removes all doubt.

As of this writing, my girl and I are planning not to attend next year's event. We're resourceful, I'm sure we can find an arts festival out there in the world that tries to focus on art.

~Trilo~

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Post by Lukky » Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:38 pm

I hope the man is draped in a huge 30'x50' flag.

Now that would be american.

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Giving Birth

Post by ravenluv » Wed Sep 05, 2007 11:10 pm

okay...this is just getting to be fun now....

'tis true - it is a very lame theme title. the concept is too limited. as i've said in another thread, i was sitting around one evening trying to predict the next theme. the american dream actually came to me. this was apparently after the theme was decided, but before i knew. i rejected it, thinking they'd never go for something as limited as that.

i followed the thought further. what was i really trying to get at when i thought of the american dream? then i saw visions of the promised land, atlantis and so forth. visions of better places. where are we going? that kind of stuff.

then i saw many artistic possibilities, all stemming from various ideas of mythical places that we yearn to be at and then spend lifetimes trying to create. and for those who like to think, i saw the art provoking thoughts of what these 'better places' have in common, and how they differ.

but i couldn't think of a name. the only one that has yet come to me is "dreaming of a better world"

anyhoo, i have a bad feeling about the theme as it stands. every person i've told so far - even non-burners - have responded with 'ew'.

so, what is to be done? petition? complain? boycott?

sure, why not? although boycotting has to be the most painful to the dedicated burner and the most threatening to the vitality of the event. the only ones who would boycott are the ones who really care.

but there is one more way. some might call it the american way. that is, we just take it over and to hell with the theme we've been assigned.

it's just that easy.

now, i like my idea and so does my ex-girlfriend. i've seen the same idea expressed in another thread, thus showing me that these ideas are occuring independently in various minds. so maybe it's a better theme.
all themes are flawed if only because some people don't even like that there is a theme. but the american dream theme is the most flawed theme ever, from an artisitic standpoint.

okay, granted, artists are wildly creative and can work around anything. that's why i keep meeting so many artists at burning man who make their livings creating art for corporations. they always tell me what they do with a kind of hang-dog look and then quickly point out that it pays the bills. is that we want to put onto the awesome people who pour so much effort and money into the art that makes burning man so beautiful? give them the narrow little assignment of talking up the dreams of biggest corporation of them all?

well, maybe you do. but i'd rather give them a much bigger canvas. except i can't. they'll just have grab that bigger canvas all by themselves.

this is a call to the artist's arms. wave 'em around like you just don't care. and then, just don't care what the theme is. sure, i'd be flattered if you took on the theme i'm suggesting. more importantly, i'd love to see what you came up with. but really, i'd just be happy knowing that, if i can make it to burning man, i won't have spend the whole frickin' time being tortured by visions of the promise, failures and successes of the american dream.

i'm in america by a quirk of fate. i could have been born anywhere else, and most people were. everyone loves what is familiar to them - the landscapes and the people. mexicans aren't trying to get in because they don't like their families and friends, or even their landscapes, but because they want and need money.

that being said, everyone dreams of someplace else that is even better than where they are. i believe we share a very similar dream, but it goes by many names. the american dream is just one of them.

besides, let's say the american dream really is the best one of them all. wouldn't it be a disaster if it remained the american dream? shouldn't it be a sudanese dream, or a haitian dream, or even an australian dream? what if europe has the better dream? will americans be inspired to try to manifest the european dream? will advertisements promise americans that they'll be living the european dream if they just buy the product?

what kind of american would be inspired by that? only the ones who could care less whether the dream is labeled american or otherwise. hence, my suggestion of 'dreaming of a better world'.

i'm dreaming of a better theme. and i'm dreaming of validating the current theme through the supposedly american art of resistance and revolution. artists of the burn unite! you have nothing to lose. period.

sheesh. this is fun. but it's late here, i'm tired and i always type too much anyway. i've said my piece. and will probably say more. always like the feedback though, as rare as it is.

peace!

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Re: Giving Birth

Post by SilkenTofu » Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:25 am

ravenluv wrote:

i followed the thought further. what was i really trying to get at when i thought of the american dream? then i saw visions of the promised land, atlantis and so forth. visions of better places. where are we going? that kind of stuff.

then i saw many artistic possibilities, all stemming from various ideas of mythical places that we yearn to be at and then spend lifetimes trying to create. and for those who like to think, i saw the art provoking thoughts of what these 'better places' have in common, and how they differ.

but i couldn't think of a name. the only one that has yet come to me is "dreaming of a better world"
I think you had the right theme name in your first paragraph (above) "The Promised Land".
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Post by Smudge » Thu Sep 06, 2007 8:42 pm

I'm surprised and disappointed that the art theme has been announced mere days after the event.
I'm surprised and disappointed at what the announced theme is as well.
Both smack so heavily of executive decisions by the Org formulated in backroom discussions and nothing of participation or public opinion of Black Rock Citizens.
True, I did hand out hundreds of red white and blue star and striped peace symbol stickers wherever I found number of people who might be interested, but the whole theme of 'America' in my opinion is a LONG dead beaten horse and calling in this archetype with so much stagnant dead energy based on illusions only the brainwashed masses could swallow sounds like a recipe for the cheeziest burningman I would want to imagine(and we already did hopes/fears). All previous art themes excited me as soon as I heard of them. This one only makes me think: The participants of Black Rock City need to take matters into their own hands and choose their own art theme for '08. We're the ones who bring the life and creativity to this event.

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Post by spectabillis » Thu Sep 06, 2007 8:57 pm

my themed art car

Image

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Re: Giving Birth

Post by ravenluv » Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:14 am

[quote="SilkenTofu
I think you had the right theme name in your first paragraph (above) "The Promised Land".[/quote]


well, thank you for that compliment! it was the first idea i had after thinking of 'the american dream' and rejecting it. but i rejected 'the promised land' as well because of the judeo-christian implications. i wanted to find something as open to all cultures as it could be. frankly, 'dreaming of a better world' is just something that stuck with me from a techno song i've heard. but i actually like it.

there have been some other suggestions. i can see i'm not the only one thinking these things. i do like the general idea of alluding to the creation or existence of a positive human environment that is embraced by many, and it appears others are grooving on that too. 'the global dream' and simply 'the dream' have also been suggested.

i'm still wondering if stephen colbert had a hand in bringing this year's theme about. pretty unlikely, of course. less unlikely will be him somehow working it into his show next week! or at least that's what i'm predicting.

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Post by pinemom » Fri Sep 07, 2007 8:13 am

I personally get nothing on this years theme...vip zero nadda....

Im thinking that it will be alot like this yrs theme...Its so hard being green.

I wondered about my tribute to this yr, my contribution?

Then I thought of 50K+ people off the hiways and biways, ditching their daily commute/errands etc... lots of gas saved there...even though we used gasoline for genny's ...still saved gasoline.

It was very hard to be green.

Hmmmm, the American Dream? Sounds kinda cliche~

But I guess this too, we all (including euro-burners) can have a lil' fun with this one....what exactly is the American Dream.

A house, wife/husband, 2.5 kids, a dog/cat, a good paying job, retirement money tucked away????

I really think as you grow older and wiser these things arent really the American Dream....
So what is your idea of the American Dream, even if you arnt American.

But really...I dis-like this yrs theme...no inspiration yet....???
maybe tomorrow?
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Post by AntiM » Fri Sep 07, 2007 8:21 am

Being able to have such an event is part of the American dream. Some folks have never grasped this. I'd be interested to know what some of the vets think of it.

I also think there's some generational concepts which may be interesting to explore. How does the dream differ for a twenty-something as compared to a fifty-something? My idealized American Dream was developed beginning in the early 60s. Yours?

I see it as akin to the Hope and Fear theme. Dreams AND nightmares.

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